How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?

Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.

How do I identify my antique clock?

To identify your antique clock, search for markings on the back of its movement or case. Once you have located these marks, use trusted online resources to determine who the maker is. From there, you can continue your research to learn more about your clock's age, style and other characteristics. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. Find a wide range of antique clocks on 1stDibs.

How can I spot an antique clock?

To spot whether or not a clock is antique, note if the clockmaker’s name or company is engraved near the center face of the dial. A paper label may also be pasted on the back of the clock. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted antique clocks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is an antique bracket clock?

An antique bracket clock refers to a portable spring-driven pendulum table clock created in the 17th and 18th centuries. These clocks were equipped with convenient carrying handles and were housed usually in rectangular cases. Shop a collection of antique and vintage bracket clocks from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

How do I know if my antique clock is valuable?

To know if an antique clock is valuable, you'll typically need to have the piece assessed by a certified appraiser or an experienced antiques dealer. The maker and style of the clock will help determine its value (an early American clockmaker’s antique grandfather model, featuring an oak case and decorative carvings, may be very interesting to collectors, for example). Overall condition of your clock also plays a role. Generally, clocks that still work are worth more than those that require repairs. On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique, vintage and modern clocks.

Are old antique clocks worth anything?

Yes, some old antique clocks may be worth something. Many collectors look for clocks produced by certain manufacturers, such as the Ansonia Clock Company, the Seth Thomas Clock Company, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Chelsea Clock Company. In addition to the maker, the type, materials, style and condition of the clock influence its value. Generally, clocks that remain in good working order are worth more than those in need of repairs and restorations. To find out how much your clock may be worth, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique clocks.

Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

French Mantel Clocks 19th Century

Bronze Marble Figural Mantel Clocks

1860 French Circa Mantel Clock

French Mantel Ormolu Clock With Candelabra

French Gilt Brass Mantel Clock

French Black Marble Mantel Clock

French Bronze Sculpture And Clock

19th Century Mantel Clock 1860

Category

1850s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

Cabinet Secretary with Clock in Boulle Marquetry, 19th Century, Napoleon III

$89,076

French Tower Clock Face

By Huchez-Joly

Located in Kirkland, WA

French tower clock face. This is a decorative enamel clock face from the Ferrieres (Oise) area

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Iron

French Tower Clock Face

$4,750

Gilded Bronze Napoleon Iii Clock

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

. Gilded bronze . Napoleon III period . Nice decor with flowers, putti, foliages

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Gilded Bronze Napoleon Iii Clock

$8,313

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This 19th century clock is stunning with it's square rippling clock frame of ebonized and painted

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

$1,195

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This 19th century clock is stunning with it's diamond shaped rippling clock frame of painted wood

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

$1,100

19th Century Napoleon III Pedestal Tall Clock

Located in Milford, NH

A magnificent Napoleon III painted wood and parcel gilt pedestal clock featuring a crest

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Pedestal Tall Clock

$19,500

Napoleon III Gilt Mantel Clock by Deniere

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A good Napoleon III gilt mantel clock by Deniere, the dial supporting a reclining bronze classical

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Gilt Mantel Clock by Deniere

$9,047

c.1850-1870 Napoleon III Clock

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Black lacquered Napoleon III clock with a stone face, enamel numbers and brass accents. The mother

Category

19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Stone, Brass

c.1850-1870 Napoleon III Clock

$3,990

Antique Napoleon III Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

Cast from solid bronze and fitted with Cararra marble insets, this mantel clock features a hand

Category

19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Napoleon III Bronze Mantel Clock

$2,980

A Napoleon III gilt mantel clock by Deniere

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Napoleon III gilt mantel clock by Deniere, the dial supporting a reclining bronze classical muse

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A Napoleon III gilt mantel clock by Deniere

$9,047

Large Napoleon III Mantel Clock

Located in PARIS, FR

Charming Napoléon III mantel clock composed of two putti in patinated bronze sat on the clock and a

Category

1860s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Napoleon III Mantel Clock

$3,325

Napoleon III Sculptural Mantel Clock

By Achille Brocot

Located in New Orleans, LA

This highly important Napoleon III patinated bronze and rouge marble mantel clock by Louis-Gabriel

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Sculptural Mantel Clock

$14,500

Bronze Doré Figural Clock - French Napoleon III ca. 1850

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Bronze Doré Figural Clock French, Napoleon III, c. 1850 19.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Doré Figural Clock - French Napoleon III ca. 1850

$5,000

Napoleon III Lyre Clock with Ormolu Hands

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A superb Napoleon III Lyre clock by 'Raingo Press, Paris' with an exquistely painted enamel face

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Napoleon III Lyre Clock with Ormolu Hands

$12,063

Large Napoleon III Period Ormolu, Three-Piece Clock Set

Located in London, GB

Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking candelabra, the central clock adorned with putti

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Napoleon III Period Ormolu, Three-Piece Clock Set

$61,689

19th Century French Gilt Ormolu Napoleon Mantel Clock

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Fine quality french gilt ormolu mantel clock circa 1830 Depicts napoleon on his horse 'marengo

Category

19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

19th Century French Gilt Ormolu Napoleon Mantel Clock

$6,374

Napoleon III Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

Located in Fayetteville, AR

The intricate mother of pearl inlay and black lacquer finish on this Napoleon III wall clock will

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

$895

Napoleon III Yellow Sienna Marble Mantel Clock

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Napoleon III yellow Sienna marble mantel clock, of rectangular form with an arched top on a

Category

1870s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble

Napoleon III Yellow Sienna Marble Mantel Clock

$1,987

French Gilt Mantle Clock Napoleon III Figurine

Located in Potters Bar, GB

You are viewing a gorgeous French Napoleon III mantle clock Crafted from marble and ormolu

Category

1890s Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Giltwood

French Gilt Mantle Clock Napoleon III Figurine

$2,261

Napoleon III Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This period Napoleon III black lacquer wall clock, called an "oeil de boeuf" in French, features

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

$995

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Napoleon III Period. The mantel clock is surmounted by a classical bronze figure of a reclining woman

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$3,800

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Mantel clock 19th century Napoleon III period.

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

$10,095

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Late 19th century neoclassical style clock crafted from gilt bronze with malachite. The central

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

$16,033

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

A beautiful clock made of bronze and malachite with an intense color. The clock has four decorated

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$4,156

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

French 19th century gilt and patina bronze with malachite mantel clock. Ornate bronze figural clock

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$7,719

Mantel Clock, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Antique late 19th c. French mantel clock crafted in Louis XVI style richly ornamented with ormolu

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$9,501

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

The clock is in excellent and perfect working condition. In addition, it has been cleaned and

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$5,938

Napoleon III Era Regule Doré Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock with Courting Couple

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This Napoleon III regule doré mantel clock features a courting couple. The boy is raising a glass

Category

1860s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Era Regule Doré Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock with Courting Couple

$895

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

The clock is in excellent and perfect working condition. In addition, it has been cleaned and

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$8,907

Napoleon III French Mantle Clock, circa 1880

Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio

Mantle clock with an architectural design consisting of a stepped base with four columns and

Category

1880s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III French Mantle Clock, circa 1880

$1,710

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Belle Époque Paris. Barbedienne’s atelier created sculptures, clocks and bronze mounts of the highest

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period

$16,033

French Napoleon III Equestrian Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Kastrup, DK

French pendulum fireplace mantel clock in chiseled gilded and patinated bronze. The upper part with

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Equestrian Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$2,886

French Onyx and Enamel Clock and Candelabra Set of the Napoleon III Period

Located in London, GB

A French Clock Garniture of the Napoleon III Period By ‘La Compagnie des Marbres et Onyx d’Algerie

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu

French Onyx and Enamel Clock and Candelabra Set of the Napoleon III Period

$30,844

French 19th Century Napoleon III Inlay Wall Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A Napoleon III style wall clock, with exceptional mother-of-pearl inlay, from 1850s France. This

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Napoleon III Inlay Wall Clock

$850

Boulle Napoleon III Mantel Table Clock from 1855

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Chorzów, PL

19th century French Boulle table clock having wonderful with classical brass inlay to the

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

Boulle Napoleon III Mantel Table Clock from 1855

$3,028

French 19th Century Napoleon III Style Wall Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This 19th century clock is stunning with its shaped frame of ebonized wood. Mother-of-pearl floral

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Napoleon III Style Wall Clock

$950

Clock Period Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Aux Amours

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Pendulum Napoleon III gilt bronze with loves Measures: H 53cm, W 69cm, W 25cm.

Category

1870s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Clock Period Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Aux Amours

$6,294

A Unique Clock From The Period Of Napoleon III

Located in Warsaw, PL

"A Unique Clock From The Period Of Napoleon III" Details of the movement mechanism: Eight days

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

A Unique Clock From The Period Of Napoleon III

$13,005

French Marble, Ormolu, Bronze Mantelclock, Putti, Napoleón III

By Napoléon III

Located in Valladolid, ES

One of a kind Mantel clock in gild bronze, ormolu ,and breche marble base. It represents an angel

Category

1880s French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Marble, Ormolu, Bronze Mantelclock, Putti, Napoleón III

$2,969

19th Century French Napoleon III Clock Face

Located in New York, NY

Very unusual clock face mounted in an ebony frame. The clock face manufacturer may be the pottery

Category

19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Napoleon III Clock Face

$4,950

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

Located in Warsaw, PL

Nineteenth century Napoleon III style figural mantel clock crafted from gilt bronze and malachite

Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century, Napoleon III Period

$17,815

Large Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock

Located in NYC, NY

An impressively large Napoleon III period Cartel clock, the case with decoration combining elements

Category

19th Century French Baroque Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Large Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock

$4,250

19th Century French Neoclassical Carrara Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock Set

Located in Dallas, TX

Empire period clock set recalls the glory of France during the reign of Napoleon III, with neoclassical

Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Neoclassical Carrara Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock Set

$3,450

Napoleon III Period Clock

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Napoleon III period clock, restoration to be planned, 19th century. Measures: H 40 cm, W 26 cm, D

Category

1860s European Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Period Clock

$2,137

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This 19th century clock is stunning with its' square rippling clock frame of black lacquered wood

Category

19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Wall Clock

$1,300

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period Style Rococo

Located in Warsaw, PL

French 19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural mantel clock with ormolu mouldings adorned on

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Napoleon III Period Style Rococo

$7,719

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

Cast from solid bronze in the timeless Renaissance style, this impressive 19th century mantel clock

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Renaissance Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock

$1,495

19th Century Ormolu Mantle Clock

Located in Berlin, DE

The white enamel dial with Roman hours and blue-steel hands, contained within a ribbon tied drum case, surmounted by a winged young boy playing the flute and hold by a stylised dolph...

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

19th Century Ormolu Mantle Clock

$4,200

Antique French Empire Napoleon III Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Classical French Empire Napoleon III figural gilt bronze mantel clock features cherub

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Napoleon III Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

$6,500

French Napoleon III Clock with Original Mercury Pendulum

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

An extra-large, solid onyx-and-marble Napoleon III mantel clock from Paris, of impressive quality

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

French Napoleon III Clock with Original Mercury Pendulum

$4,950

Antique Brass Napoleon Hat Mantel Clock by Junghans

Located in London, GB

inside. This model is known as a Napoleon hat clock, for obvious reasons! It is of extremely high

Category

Early 1900s German Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Brass

Antique Brass Napoleon Hat Mantel Clock by Junghans

$1,028

French Empire Clock Depicting Napoleon Dressed as Caesar

By Claude Galle

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Napoleon dressed as Caesar holding leaves in his extended left hand. The clock plinth is decorated with

Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Clock Depicting Napoleon Dressed as Caesar

$6,500

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Clock by Raingo Freres

By Raingo Frères

Located in Astoria, NY

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, the enameled dial signed "Raingo Freres A Paris", the

Category

Late 19th Century Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Clock by Raingo Freres

$9,100

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Serves Style Porcelain Plaque Clock

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A fine quality Napoleon III gilt bronze and porcelain clock. The sea blue porcelain panels to the

Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Serves Style Porcelain Plaque Clock

$2,800

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Clock in Rocaille Style

Located in Paris, FR

Napoleon III mantel clock in Rocaille style with gilded and sculpted bronze. The ornamentation is

Category

1860s French Rococo Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Clock in Rocaille Style

$4,869

19th Century AD Mougin Parisian Napoleon III Clock Garniture Set

By A.D. Mougin

Located in Forney, TX

. The Napoleon III Second Empire period, Neoclassical style antique clock having an urn form finial with

Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century AD Mougin Parisian Napoleon III Clock Garniture Set

$2,200 / set

Large Antique Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock

By Leroy Archuleta

Located in Tarzana, CA

An exquisite 19th century French Napoleon III Gilt bronze mantel clock. The clock with circular

Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Large Antique Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock

$34,500

Decorative Objects Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects

Napoleon III Decorative Objects

19th Century Decorative Objects

Metal Decorative Objects

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Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of napoleon clock antique clocks available for sale. The range of distinct napoleon clock antique clocks — often made from metal, bronze and stone — can elevate any home. Napoleon clock antique clocks have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Louis XVI, Neoclassical and Louis XV napoleon clock antique clocks are consistently popular styles. Napoleon clock antique clocks have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Japy Frères, Henri Picard and Raingo Frères are consistently popular.

How Much are Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks?

Prices for napoleon clock antique clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, napoleon clock antique clocks begin at $395 and can go as high as $188,500, while the average can fetch as much as $5,509.

A Close Look at Napoleon-iii Furniture

Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.

Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”

Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.

Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)

Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Clocks for You

A sophisticated clock design, whether it’s a desk clock, mantel clock or large wall clock for your living room, is a decorative object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles. Given the versatility of these treasured fixtures — they’ve long been made in a range of shapes, sizes and styles — a clock can prove integral to your own particular interior decor.

Antique and vintage clocks can whisk us back to the 18th and 19th centuries. When most people think of antique clocks, they imagine an Art Deco Bakelite tabletop clock or wall clock, named for the revolutionary synthetic plastic, Bakelite, of which they’re made, or a stately antique grandfather clock. But the art of clock-making goes way back, transcending continents and encompassing an entire range of design styles and technologies. In short, there are many kinds of clocks depending on your needs.

A variety of wall clocks can be found on 1stDibs. A large antique hand-carved walnut wall clock is best suited to a big room and a flat background given what will likely be outwardly sculptural features, while Georgian grandfather clocks, or longcase clocks, will help welcome rainswept guests into your entryway or foyer. An interactive cuckoo clock, large or small, is guaranteed to bring outsize personality to your living room or dining room. For conversation pieces of a similar breed, mid-century modern enthusiasts go for the curious Ball clock, the first of more than 150 clock models conceived in the studio of legendary architect and designer George Nelson.

Minimalist contemporary clocks and books pair nicely on a shelf, but an eye-catching vintage mantel clock can add balance to your home library while drawing attention to your art and design books and other decorative objects. Ormolu clocks dating from the Louis XVI period, designed in the neoclassical style, are often profusely ornate, featuring architectural flourishes and rich naturalistic details. Rococo-style mantel clocks of Meissen porcelain or porcelain originating from manufacturers in cities such as Limoges, France, during the 18th and 19th centuries, exude an air of imperial elegance on your shelves or side tables and can help give your desk a 19th-century upgrade.

On 1stDibs, find a range of extraordinary antique and vintage clocks today.

Questions About Napoleon Clock Antique Clocks

How do I tell if a clock is an antique French clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Check the clock for a manufacturer’s mark or label. Once you have this, you should be able to look up the clock’s brand to see if it is French in origin. A clock is considered antique once it is 100 years old. A professional can also help verify the origin of your clock. Shop an array of expertly vetted antique clocks on 1stDibs.
How do I identify my antique clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
To identify your antique clock, search for markings on the back of its movement or case. Once you have located these marks, use trusted online resources to determine who the maker is. From there, you can continue your research to learn more about your clock's age, style and other characteristics. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. Find a wide range of antique clocks on 1stDibs.
How can I spot an antique clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To spot whether or not a clock is antique, note if the clockmaker’s name or company is engraved near the center face of the dial. A paper label may also be pasted on the back of the clock. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted antique clocks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is an antique bracket clock?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
An antique bracket clock refers to a portable spring-driven pendulum table clock created in the 17th and 18th centuries. These clocks were equipped with convenient carrying handles and were housed usually in rectangular cases. Shop a collection of antique and vintage bracket clocks from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
How do I know if my antique clock is valuable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
To know if an antique clock is valuable, you'll typically need to have the piece assessed by a certified appraiser or an experienced antiques dealer. The maker and style of the clock will help determine its value (an early American clockmaker’s antique grandfather model, featuring an oak case and decorative carvings, may be very interesting to collectors, for example). Overall condition of your clock also plays a role. Generally, clocks that still work are worth more than those that require repairs. On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique, vintage and modern clocks.
Are old antique clocks worth anything?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2024
Yes, some old antique clocks may be worth something. Many collectors look for clocks produced by certain manufacturers, such as the Ansonia Clock Company, the Seth Thomas Clock Company, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Chelsea Clock Company. In addition to the maker, the type, materials, style and condition of the clock influence its value. Generally, clocks that remain in good working order are worth more than those in need of repairs and restorations. To find out how much your clock may be worth, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique clocks.